Zohran Mamdani makes a pledge to New Yorkers in Arabic – here's what it means

Mayor-elect has committed to defending minorities after election race tinged with Islamophobia

In his rousing victory speech, Zohran Mamdani appealed to all New Yorkers, promising a city government for everyone.

Yet he specifically addressed minorities and the under-represented, saying he and his supporters will usher in a new generation.

There were four words, spoken in Arabic, to represent his promise, "Ana minkum wa ilaykum", which translates to, “I am of you and for you".

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The saying is one Arabs use to stress belonging and trust. The statement brought a small round of applause from those congregated at Mamdani HQ who understood it – and wider applause once translated.

He promised not to waver in fighting the scourge of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

Zohran Mamdani, the new Mayor of New York City, at an election night event at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre. Bloomberg

Mr Mamdani with his wife Rama Duwaji and parents Mahmood Mamdani and Mira Nair at his election night victory party. AFP

Supporters in Brooklyn celebrate Mr Mamdani's victory. Reuters

Democratic representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaks to media after Mr Mamdani's victory. Reuters

Mr Mamdani and Ms Duwaji vote at The Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. AFP

Independent candidate Andrew Cuomo at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York after conceding to Mr Mamdani. Bloomberg

Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa concedes at his election-night watch party at Arte Cafe. AFP

Zohran Mamdani campaigning in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Bloomberg

Mr Mamdani speaks near-fluent Arabic and used the language to connect with Arab voters during his campaign.

That included a viral social media video released in the last stretch of the campaign in which he said: “I am like your Syrian son-in-law”, in a nod to his Syrian wife, Rama Duwaji.

In his viral video, he said: “My Arabic needs some work, but despite that, I want to ask for your support on November 4.”

While he speaks with a Levantine accent, he breaks into Egyptian dialect when petting a cat, showing his adept understanding of the language.